Speak Up I: Talking to Clubs and Organizations

I've never been shy. My first marketing ploy was to dress up in whiteboard clothing at a trade show to demonstrate the eraser I had invented for dry erase markers. One of the first things I learned when I went into business was that I had to speak up and talk to people about my product, my business, and myself.

I'm a tad more subdued in my approach these days, but I know the value of talking ever time I get the chance. Speaking at local clubs and organizations is a particularly delightful and enterprising opportunity. Most organizations, like Lions and Rotary, have lunch or breakfast meetings to which they invite speakers. I've taken to wangling invites to be a speaker at such meetings. I can hear you thinking: Why in the world would she want to talk to Kiwanis or Soroptimist Clubs? Let me speak to that.

Just last week, I gave a talk at a Sons in Retirement (SIR) meeting. SIR is an organization for men who are are retired from full-time, gainful employment. They have a monthly luncheon meeting that includes a featured speaker. The organization espouses no political party, religion or sect of any kind, nor promotes any cause regardless of how worthy. However, they are a bunch of really cool retired guys who are interested in all kinds of things.

So I told my story to the guys at SIR, and as always, I emphasized how my story shows that the American Dream is still accessible. I told them it takes hard work and perseverance to take ideas to market, but for anyone willing to do the work and ask for help, it is possible. Then I told them all the ways that I worked hard, and I closed by asking for help. That's right! I put out a request for investors, and one gentleman approached me after the meeting to find out more. We will be having lunch soon.

So the answer to why I speak at groups is basically this: I like to tell my story in the hopes that it will inspire and inform AND I also know that connecting with people this way opens doors, especially if I am boldly willing to ask for help. Remember, I'm not shy!

In my next post, I will say more about crafting a talk that fits the needs of the group to whom I am speaking. Tune in for more on speaking up!